Life Pathways Analysis Project

Research Investigators

Life Pathways Analysis Project

Project Number
OER 39/08 DH

Project Duration
April 2009 - February 2014

Status
Completed

Abstract
The Life Pathways Analysis Project (LPAP) seeks to build on the analytical work conducted in Panel 6 (CRPP Core Programme) which will conclude in March 2009 in the following ways. First, by using the longitudinal dataset to further inform current MOE issues/initiatives such as levelling up, subjective well-being and assessment. In recent sharing and briefing sessions, both within MOE and with other organisations, there has been widespread interest in range of issues the Panel 6 scales can inform as our variables include both academic and non-academic outcomes. The LPAP would allow the team to use the full spectrum of longitudinal data to offer insights into current policy related issues.
Second, the LPAP seeks to explore how English and Mathematics domain specific data which was collected by Panel 6 can be further analysed and utilised for instructional purposes by academic groups within NIE. Panel 6 has a database of calibrated University of New South Wales English and Mathematics assessment results of students in the secondary cohort (Sec 1-4) which it has used primarily as a proxy for student achievement in English and Mathematics. However, there is a substantial amount of detailed information about student learning in the various domains in the two subjects and student growth over the four years which has not been analysed. The LPAP intends to explore avenues of such analysis with subject experts in NIE.
Third, the LPAP seeks to merge the Panel 6 dataset with a dataset from a CRPP special focus project, the Integrated Programmes Project (which will be ongoing till December 2009). As similar scales are found in both studies, such an effort will allow us to answer questions about the similarities and differences between responses of students from the IP and non-IP cohorts. The MOE Taskforce for the Integrated Programmes has expressed interest in such comparisons and the LPAP will help facilitate such analysis.
Finally, the LPAP will allow the Principal Investigators to explore and consider avenues for subsequent iterations of Panel 6 after the LPAP (April 2009-March 2010) in the light of the empirical evidence surfaced by the Panel 6 data.